Life in a big city, with work and personal commitments, sees us constantly moving. Working, taking care of family and other commitments sees us run around life like headless chooks.  No time to stop. No time to reflect. Hardly any time to think other than about the daily tasks.

Then, one day, you take a break and find yourself in the middle of the forest, surrounded by the wilderness, the picturesque nature and the fresh air. The only sounds surrounding you are those of the chirping birds and the waves of the water somewhere far, yet so close that you can hear it. The sun rays try to break through the thickness of the tree branches. What a serene setting!

Suddenly, you realize that you are not missing the hassle and bustle of the city. You are just happy to be breathing in the nature in all its prime state. It may be the first time in ages when you are actually able to breathe, not just enhale oxygen for survival. You look back at your life and the rat race you usually find yourself in and understand that something has been missing.  It is hard to verbalise, even to yourself, what exactly has been absent in your existence all this time. However, you clearly see that there’s a gap that needs to be filled.

Taking a long walk through the forest, you slowly let your brain relax, whilst your legs are taking you on a long trip around the little pathways through the beauty contained within the aged trees.

There’s a good saying that you should always be able to stop and smell the roses. Well, it becomes clear as you keep walking that having ‘time-out’ to relax, reflect and rejuvenate is a must and should be done more often.  You even start to question the need for continuing being part of the rat race. “Is it worth it?” you find your brain asking. “Should I just pack my life and move somewhere so peaceful to find sanity”.

The answer is not as easy as you may have initially thought. There’s an enormous attraction in living somewhere quiet and secluded. However, as you think further about it, you conclude it would not make you happy long term. This is because you still need to work to provide for yourself and your family. You still need those close to you to be near. You need more than being around nature to fulfill you.

So what is a happy medium and is there one? As you walk out of the woods onto the beach, looking at the waves caressing the sand, you understand the medium is to repeat this experience on a regular basis.  Take time out and reconnect with the nature. Find a place where you can rest your thoughts and rest your soul. Sleep. Read a book. Disconnect your phone for a few days. You will be surprised how much better it will make you feel and how much more energy you will have when you return to your ‘normal’ life.